People News

Tracy Morgan responds to family claims

By Eleanor Harley Feb 2, 2012, 20:35 GMT

Tracy Morgan releases a statement defending his actions against family claims. Copyright by Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Tracy Morgan has responded to claims made by his mum and sister that he refuses to help them out in a crisis. 

The comedian’s mother, Alice Warden, said that Morgan offered to pay off the $25,000 she owes on her house, but has since changed his mind.

Without help, Warden claims she will lose her home.

61-year-old Warden told the New York Daily News that she informed Morgan of the situation when she lost her job in February 2011.

Morgan initially agreed to pay off the debt on her house until a story broke that his mother and brother had spoken to the press about him.

Warden denied giving an interview, but alleges that Morgan still withdrew his offer of help.

Warden explains that if she doesn’t produce the minimum payment by the end of February, foreclosure proceedings on her house will begin. 

She called Morgan again at the start of the month to ask for help.

Morgan’s employee called Warden offering $2000. “Tracy’s offering you a one-shot deal,” she said.

 “I told her, ‘Thank you, but no thank you. I’m not some person in the street.’”

“That was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Warden added.

Morgan’s sister, Asia Morgan, had her say as well. “He’s never been a nice person and money’s just made it worse,” she said.

41-year-old Asia said she had refrained from speaking to the press up until now.

“Because of the way he’s treating our mother, all bets are off.”

43-year-old Morgan released a statement to CNN on Wednesday night saying he was "saddened that these untrue stories about me have people questioning my commitment to my family.“

Morgan explained “For reasons that are between us, I have not seen my mother in 11 years and outside of a random call here and there, have had little to no contact with my sister."

30 Rock actor Morgan was hospitalised last month after collapsing at the Sundance Film Festival. His rep blamed exhaustion and altitude for the incident and Morgan returned to work a few days later.